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Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and TradeThe Honourable Andrew Fraser

Two major projects declared ‘significant’ by Coordinator-General

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade
The Honourable Andrew Fraser

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Two major projects declared ‘significant’ by Coordinator-General

BHP Billiton MetCoal Holdings’ proposed Goonyella rail project and the Dudgeon Point Coal Terminal have been declared significant projects by the Coordinator-General today.

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development Andrew Fraser said the declarations were not approvals, but rather recognition of the size, scale and economic impact the projects could potentially have.

“These projects bring the promise of billions of dollars in investment and thousands of jobs to the Queensland economy,” Mr Fraser told State Parliament.

“BHP Billiton MetCoal Holdings has proposed a rail project connecting the Goonyella Riverside Mine complex and the Port of Abbot plans for the establishment of a rail line that could service new mines and expansion projects within the Bowen basin.

“It would involve the development of a new 290 kilometre rail line and associated infrastructure, and could potentially export around 60 million tonnes of coal each year.

“It underscores the potential of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal to be one of the biggest coal export terminals in the world.”

Mr Fraser said the Dudgeon Point Coal Terminal project, near the Port of Hay Point, was being led by the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation and a consortium including Adani Mining and Dudgeon Point Project Management.

“The proposed DPCT would involve the development of two new coal terminals with a combined export capacity of 180 million tonnes per year – almost exactly the amount of coal exported out of the entire state in 2009-10.